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us-urges-nato-allies-to-boost-defense-spending-to-5-of-gdp
CanadaApr 04, 2025

US Urges NATO Allies to Boost Defense Spending to 5% of GDP

While the trade war between Canada and the US threatens to slow down the economy, the Trump administration has urged Canada and other NATO countries to increase defense spending to 5 percent of their GDP. This request was made during a meeting held in Brussels on Thursday. Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly attended the meeting. She pointed out that the US itself does not meet that target. Meanwhile, during the election campaign in Quebec, when journalists asked Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre whether the US had urged NATO members to increase defense spending to 5 percent of GDP, he
premier-david-eby-meets-forestry-leaders-to-address-potential-u-s-tariffs-on-b-c-lumber
BCApr 04, 2025

Premier David Eby Meets Forestry Leaders to Address Potential U.S. Tariffs on B.C. Lumber

Premier David Eby is meeting with forestry leaders in Prince George today to discuss strategies to protect British Columbia's largest export industry from potential tariffs. Eby has raised concerns that President Donald Trump may impose additional tariffs on top of the existing 14.5 percent duty on B.C. softwood lumber. B.C.'s forestry sector is a critical component of the province's economy, contributing $17.4 billion to the GDP and providing thousands of jobs. The U.S. has long accused B.C. of subsidizing its lumber industry. According to the Business Council of B.C., if Trump imposes an ad
brazil-to-require-visas-for-canadian-tourists-starting-april-10
CanadaApr 04, 2025

Brazil to Require Visas for Canadian Tourists Starting April 10

Canadian tourists will now need a visa to visit Brazil, with the new requirement taking effect on April 10. Canadian passport holders must obtain a visa for stays of up to 90 days for tourism purposes. However, visas are not required for stays of up to 90 days for business or student purposes. This policy change will also apply to travelers from the United States and Australia. According to VFS, the company authorized by the Brazilian government to issue e-visas, travelers who already have a valid physical visa in their passport for the purpose of their trip do not need to apply for a new one
sharp-job-loss-hits-canadian-economy-in-march
CanadaApr 04, 2025

Sharp Job Loss Hits Canadian Economy in March

The Canadian economy experienced its largest job loss since 2022 in March. Statistics Canada reported on Friday that 33,000 jobs were lost last month, causing the unemployment rate to rise by 0.1 percentage point to 6.7 per cent. The report noted that uncertainty over tariffs has impacted new hiring and triggered some layoffs. The most significant drop in employment occurred in the private sector. Most economists had anticipated signs of weakness in the job market in March, as companies delayed investment and hiring amid ongoing tariff concerns. According to Statistics Canada, a total of 1.5
quebec-government-tables-bill-to-combat-election-disinformation-and-interference
CanadaApr 03, 2025

Quebec government tables bill to combat election disinformation and interference

The Quebec government has introduced a bill to preserve the integrity of the electoral process by tackling deliberate disinformation and election interference. The bill tabled today by the province's minister for democratic institutions would make it an offence to knowingly spread false information to influence or disturb an election or compromise the public’s trust in the electoral process. Jean-François Roberge says it would also be an offence to falsely represent the chief electoral officer or a candidate in order to mislead the public. Roberge says examples of false representations incl
poilievre-pledges-to-scrap-gst-on-canadian-made-vehicles
CanadaApr 03, 2025

Poilievre Pledges to Scrap GST on Canadian-Made Vehicles

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has pledged to eliminate the GST on Canadian-made cars and light trucks if elected. He stated that this measure would save Canadians up to $2,500 on vehicles priced at $50,000 or less, while also boosting demand for domestic automobiles and protecting auto industry jobs. During a campaign stop in Kingston, Ontario, Poilievre urged provincial premiers to cut provincial taxes by the same amount, which could result in total savings of up to $7,000 per vehicle for consumers.
us-tariff-policy-countries-affected-and-exemptions
CanadaApr 03, 2025

US Tariff Policy: Countries Affected and Exemptions

US President Donald Trump has targeted several countries with reciprocal tariffs ranging from 10% to 50%. However, some nations, including Russia, North Korea, Cuba, and Belarus, have been left off the list. This decision has led many to question why major trading partners like India, the European Union, and Vietnam have been hit with heavy tariffs while these countries were not. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent explained that Russia and North Korea were excluded because the US does not trade with them due to sanctions. He also noted that Canada and Mexico were not included in the new tari
third-suspect-arrested-in-edmonton-february-murder-case
CanadaApr 03, 2025

Third Suspect Arrested in Edmonton February Murder Case

Police have arrested a third suspect in connection with the February murder of Sukhvir Singh in Edmonton. The 32-year-old victim’s body was discovered near 17th Street and Yellowhead Trail on February 28, with an autopsy confirming that he had been murdered. On Tuesday, officers arrested 22-year-old Jasmeet Singh, who has been charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping. This follows the earlier arrests of 29-year-old Manpreet Brar on March 10 and 21-year-old Gursimran Singh on March 13. Authorities have also issued a Canada-wide warrant for 27-year-old Lovepreet Sidhu, who remains at l
rise-in-retail-theft-worker-safety-prompts-vancouver-security-task-force
CanadaApr 03, 2025

Rise in retail theft, worker safety prompts Vancouver security task force

A spike in retail theft, in what the City of Vancouver says is led by organized crime and repeat offenders, has prompted the launch a retail security task force. Vancouver council passed a motion creating the initiative aimed at curbing the thefts and improving safety for businesses and their employees. Mayor Ken Sim says in a statement that retail theft is hurting communities across the city, and the task force is aimed at tackling the situation. The statement says there were almost 7,700 shoplifting incidents in the city last year, an 11.7 per cent increase from the year before. The task for

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BCJul 10, 2026

B.C. to add 132 involuntary care beds in Surrey and Prince George

The British Columbia government has announced plans to open new involuntary care facilities in Surrey and Prince George for people living with severe mental illness, substance-use disorders and brain injuries. According to the provincial government, the renovated facilities will add a total of 132 new beds, including 60 at a new involuntary care centre in Surrey. The expansion is intended to provide specialized treatment and care for people who require intensive support. Premier David Eby said the new facilities are designed to help people stabilize and rebuild their lives during periods of ac
channi-bajwa-among-senior-congress-leaders-to-meet-bhupesh-baghel
IndiaJul 10, 2026

Channi, Bajwa among senior Congress leaders to meet Bhupesh Baghel

Former Punjab chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi and several senior Congress leaders are scheduled to meet Punjab Congress in-charge Bhupesh Baghel on Saturday as the party continues its organisational preparations ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly election. Channi confirmed the meeting in a social media post, stating that senior Congress leader and MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh will host the gathering at his residence. According to Channi, the meeting will focus on various organisational matters related to the party. According to available information, former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Sing
maninder-sidhu-announces-india-trade-mission-to-lead-team-canada-delegation
BCJul 10, 2026

Maninder Sidhu announces India trade mission, to lead Team Canada delegation

Canada's Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, has announced that he will lead a Team Canada Trade Mission to India from Oct. 12 to 17. According to the federal government, the mission is aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and economic ties while creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses in the Indian market. Sidhu said Canada and India currently share approximately $31 billion in two-way trade. He said the federal government's goal is to double that figure by 2030. He added that India remains one of the world's fastest-growing major economies, offering significant oppo
saskatchewan-man-sentenced-in-cbsa-immigration-fraud-investigation
BCJul 10, 2026

Saskatchewan man sentenced in CBSA immigration fraud investigation

A Saskatchewan man has been sentenced to a conditional sentence of two years less a day after a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) investigation into an immigration fraud scheme. According to a CBSA news release issued Friday, Balvir Singh was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine. The agency said the investigation began in 2018 after border services officers across Canada noticed an unusually high number of immigration applications connected to a Saskatoon-based non-profit organization. The CBSA, working with the Government of Saskatchewan, said investigators identified foreign nationals who e
CanadaJul 10, 2026

West Vancouver's Gurinder Singh Deo arrested in France

West Vancouver resident Gurinder Singh Deo has been arrested in France, the RCMP's Pacific Region Federal Policing confirmed. Police said the 40-year-old is currently in custody in France while legal proceedings are underway to extradite him to the United States. According to the RCMP, Deo was identified in the recent joint FBI and RCMP investigation known as Operation Hard Ball. U.S. authorities have charged him in connection with a drug trafficking case, alleging he helped facilitate the movement of narcotics into Southern California through alleged links to the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang. U.S.